Peru lost more than half of its glacier surface
Peruvian scientists say Peru has lost more than half of its glacier surface in the last six decades due to climate change
ByThe Associated Press
November 22, 2023, 6:55 PM
FILE – Tourists walk in front of the Tuco glacier in Huascaran National Park during a tour called the “Route of climate change” in Huaraz, Peru, Aug. 12, 2016. The South American country has lost more than half of its glacier surface in the last six decades, and 175 glaciers became extinct due to climate change between 2016 and 2020, Peruvian scientists from the state agency that studies glaciers said Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia, File)The Associated Press
LIMA, Peru — Peru has lost more than half of its glacier surface in the last six decades, and 175 glaciers became extinct due to climate change between 2016 and 2020, Peruvian scientists from the state agency that studies glaciers said Wednesday.
“In 58 years, 56.22% of the glacial coverage recorded in 1962 has been lost,” said Mayra Mejía, an official with Peru's National Institute of Research of Mountain Glaciers and Ecosystems, or Inaigem.
The factor that causes the greatest impact is the increase in the average global temperature, causing an accelerated retreat of glaciers, especially those in tropical areas, Jesús Gómez, director of glacier research at Inaigem, told The Associated Press.
The South American country has 1,050 square kilometers (405 square miles) of glacial coverage left, an area representing about 44% of what was recorded in 1962, when the first glacier inventory was carried out.
Mejía, an expert in glaciology, said there are some mountain ranges in Peru where glaciers have almost disappeared, namely Chila, which has lost 99% of its glacial surface since 1962.
Chila is key because the first waters that give rise to the Amazon River, the longest and mightiest in the world, descend from the glacier.
Beatriz Fuentealva, president of Inagem, said the loss of glaciers increases the risks for those living in lowland areas, as was the case in 1970 when a huge sheet of ice from the snow-capped Huascarán, in the northern Andes, broke off after a 7.9 magnitude earthquake, falling on a lagoon and causing a mud avalanche that destroyed the city of Yungay and left more than 20,000 dead.
____
Follow AP’s climate coverage at: https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment
Related Topics
News Related
-
-
-
Freed Israeli hostage describes deteriorating conditions while being held by Hamas An Israeli hostage freed by Hamas has said in an interview that she was initially fed well in captivity until conditions worsened and captives became hungry ByTIA GOLDENBERG Associated Press November 28, 2023, 1:04 AM Ruth Munder, a released ...
See Details:
Freed Israeli hostage describes deteriorating conditions while being held by Hamas
-
High stakes and glitz mark the vote in Paris for the 2030 World Expo host In a high-profile showdown, Rome, Busan, and Riyadh are the top contenders to host the next World Expo, in 2030, as the organizing body prepares to vote on Tuesday in Paris ByTHOMAS ADAMSON Associated Press ...
See Details:
High stakes and glitz mark the vote in Paris for the 2030 World Expo host
-
Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock has made a frank admission, conceding borrowers are “very unhappy” with the central bank, but are coping with higher interest rates. Speaking at a central bank conference in Hong Kong on Tuesday, Ms Bullock said the RBA’s punishing 13 rate hikes had generated considerable “noise” ...
See Details:
RBA boss Michele Bullock concedes borrowers ‘very unhappy’ with rate hikes
-
A devastating bushfire that wreaked havoc on homes and business has sparked fears scammers might exploit fake fundraisers, as the long road to rebuilding gets underway. Families slowly started returning to their homes in Mariginiup, on Perth’s northern fringe, this week after a bushfire destroyed 18 homes and businesses. Consumer ...
See Details:
Australians on alert for scammers after bushfire destroys 18 homes, businesses
-
-
A couple in their 70s have been terrorised in a violent home invasion by four men armed with a gun and baseball bats. Police say the men smashed a glass sliding door to gain access to the Beerwah residence, north of Brisbane, after 11.30pm on Monday, before entering the bedroom. ...
See Details:
Armed gang terrorise couple in violent home invasion
-
A couple in their 70s have been terrorised in a violent home invasion by four men armed with a gun and baseball bats. Police say the men smashed a glass sliding door to gain access to the Beerwah residence, north of Brisbane, after 11.30pm on Monday, before entering the bedroom. ...
See Details:
LeBron James takes NBA all-time minutes lead in career-worst loss
-
A couple in their 70s have been terrorised in a violent home invasion by four men armed with a gun and baseball bats. Police say the men smashed a glass sliding door to gain access to the Beerwah residence, north of Brisbane, after 11.30pm on Monday, before entering the bedroom. ...
See Details:
Vikings' Kevin O'Connell to evaluate Josh Dobbs, path forward at QB
-
-
-
A couple in their 70s have been terrorised in a violent home invasion by four men armed with a gun and baseball bats. Police say the men smashed a glass sliding door to gain access to the Beerwah residence, north of Brisbane, after 11.30pm on Monday, before entering the bedroom. ...
See Details:
North Korea cites rare dissent in elections even as 99% back candidates
-
A couple in their 70s have been terrorised in a violent home invasion by four men armed with a gun and baseball bats. Police say the men smashed a glass sliding door to gain access to the Beerwah residence, north of Brisbane, after 11.30pm on Monday, before entering the bedroom. ...
See Details:
Faulty pipe caused water leakage and ‘very bad odour’ at Jem mall
OTHER NEWS
KUALA LUMPUR – A 34-year-old man has been detained for threatening Malaysia’s Prime Minister via social media. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the man was detained on ...
Read more »
A member of a pig hunting group that was in remote Queensland when Jeremiah Rivers went missing has denied trafficking cannabis, in testimony given by video as there is a ...
Read more »
Christmas is a time for giving, and for Peter Dutton that means sharing one of life's most excruciating pains. The opposition leader is donating some of his much-loved Lego to ...
Read more »
A department investigator accused two of the officers of “conduct unbecoming an officer” for entering the apartment without a warrant, but the third officer was cleared of wrongdoing, the suit says.
Read more »
Heidi Klum posted a rare picture with husband Tom Kaulitz and her four kids: Leni, 19, Henry, 18, Johan, 17, and Lou, 14, having some quality family time.
Read more »
This is CNBC’s live blog covering European markets. European markets are heading for a flat open Tuesday, continuing lackluster sentiment seen at the start of the week in the region ...
Read more »
The deal seemed on the verge of unravelling. Hamas had accused Israel of failing to keep its side of the bargain and Israel was threatening to resume its lethal onslaught ...
Read more »